Figure toy



Nov. 15, 1927.

J. STETSON FIGURE TOY Filed 001;,

Inventor J5/ fife fro/7 Patented Nov. 15, 192.7.

JOHN STE'ISON,

OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALEEORNIA.

FIGURE TOY.

Application filed Gctcher 8, i926. Eerial No. 1403M.

This invention relates to an improved figure toy and it has moreparticular reference to the type which includes a rotating ball, afigure supported above the center of the ball, means for supporting thefigure, and means for rolling the ball.

My principal aim is to generally improve upon toys of this class byproviding one which is structurally different, said differences servingto form an improved and characteristic toy. c

More specifically speaking, I propose to provide a rolling ball and asuspension means for a figure which is exceptionally distinctive, thesame being preferably a repre sentation of a well-known fictitiouscharac- 'ter.

More specifically, the invention has reference to a ball which isadapted to be rolled over a surface, this ball being provided on itsexterior with two individual rows of ribs, the ribs extending somewhatfrom the center of the ball and being arranged in staggered relation sothat they alternately engage the legs of the movable figure forproducing a life-like walking action.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a complete toy constructed in accordancewith the invent-ion,

Fi 2 is front View with portions broken away and shown in section todisclose the arrangement of details more plainly.

Referring to the drawings, the reference character 1 designates theball, the reference character 2 designates the figure and 3 denotes thesupporting frame, which parts'in the approximate association shown aregenerically old in the art. The ball here shown is provided withplurality of circumferentially spaced ribs 4: and as before stated thereare two sets of ribs, the same being arranged in staggered relation andarranged at proper circum'l'erentially spaced intervals to produce adesirable action. The ball may be of rubber or may be in form of ahollow metal sphere corrugated. to provide ribs. Another improvedelement the frame 3 which is here shown of rectangular formation. Thelower horizontal portion 5 constitutes a shaft upon which the ball 1 isrotatably mounted, the ball being provided with suitable bearings forthis purpose. The portions 6 constitute uprights and the upperhorizontal portion 7 forms the main supporting element for the Figure 2.Attention is. called to a counterbalancing device ,on the interior ofthe ball which includes a U-shaped hanger 8 fixedly mounted on thecentral portion of the shaft 5 and carrying a suitable weight 9. Thisarrangementserves to maintain the supporting frame in a vertical plane.

Considering now the tion of the figure, it will be seen that the samecomprises a body including a block 10 of appropriate material rockablymounted upon the central portion of the part 7. The head and arms of thefigure may be constructed to represent a desirable type of fictitiouscharacter. The one here shown is of well-known variety, but no claim ismade thereto. As a matter of fact, the dress of the figure may be madeto simulate any desirable form of character. The figure includesdepending relatively movable legs 11 and feet 12. It will be noted fromFig. 2'

that the legs are simply made upof a. pair of depending coiled springscarried by the block 10 and disposed on the interior of the trouserslegs which come down over the shoes to hide the spring.

If desired, yoke 13 may be provided and connected with the frame and apull cord 14: may be in turn connected with the bight portion of theyoke for permitting the device to be pulled along the ground to causethe ball to rotate in the direction of the arrow.

From the foregoing description and drawings it will be seen that I haveevolved and proauced a novel toy including a rotary ribbed ball, meansfor pulling the same along the ground, a counterbalanced suspensionframe and a. characteristic form of fictitious figure supported on thisframe. With this arrangement of elements, it is obvious that when theball is rolled, the movable legs of the figure will striket-he ribs: tocause the figure to simulate a walking person on a ball. This is a wellknown circus stunt. Consequently, the toy will provoke much amusementfor small children.

The simplicity and construction, as well as the advantages and featuresof the device particular construc- I a re doubtless plain from thedescription and drawing. Therefore, a more lengthy description isthought unnecessary.

Minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may beresorted to if desired.

I claim:

1. As a new product ofmanufaoture, a figure wheeled toy comprising asubstan tially rectangular frame, the lower horizontal portion of saidframe functioning as a shaft, the vertical port-ions of the frameserving as uprights, and the upper horizontal portion providing a;supporting element, a figure suspended from the central portion of saidsupporting element, a ball rotatably mounted upon said shaft and locatedbetween said uprights, said ball being provided on its external surfacewith two sets of circumferentially spaced ribs, the ribs of therespective sets being disposed in circumferential rows and the ribs ofone set being in staggered relation to those of the other set, saidfigure having swin ably mounted legs including feet mounted forcooperation with the ribs,.in order to represent walking when the ballis turned, a hanger carried by said shaft and located on the interior ofthe ball, and a countcr-ba1anced weight earried by said hanger.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a figure wheeled toy, comprising arectangular wire frame, the lower horizontal portion of which serves asa shaft, the upper horizontal portion of which serves as a mountingelement, and the vertical portion of which constitutes uprights, a ballrotatably mounted on the shaft between the uprights, said ball beingprovided at its exterior with sepa- "ate rows of circumferential]yspaced ribs, U-shaped hanger carried by the central portion of the shaftand located on the interior of the ball, weights carried by the hanger,and a figure comprising a block like body mounted for oscillation uponthe supporting element, curved springs depending from said block body,feet respresentations carried by the lower ends of the springs, andclothing surrounding and concealing the block body and springs, saidfeet being located for 00- r operation with said ribs.

In test mony whereof I afiix my signature.

JOHN STETSON.

